Russian and Iranian leaders meet before signing partnership treaty

The presidents of Russia and Iran have held talks in the Kremlin before they sign a broad co-operation pact.

The Kremlin said that the “comprehensive strategic partnership treaty” to be signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian covers all areas – from trade and military cooperation to science, education and culture.

The signing comes ahead of the January 20 inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump, who has pledged to broker peace in Ukraine and take a tougher stance on Iran.

After laying a wreath at the Unknown Soldier’s Tomb at the Kremlin Wall, Mr Pezeshkian and Mr Putin sat down for talks in the Kremlin, their third meeting since the Iranian leader’s election in July.

Welcoming Mr Pezeshkian as they sat down for talks, Mr Putin said the new treaty will “give an additional impulse to practically all areas of our co-operatioon”.

Mr Pezeshkian said the documents will form a “solid foundation for our forward movement” and emphasized the “strategic importance” of ties with Moscow.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed any link with Mr Trump’s inauguration, saying the signing had been planned long ago.